Editor’s Note: This week’s PoliceOne First Person essay is from PoliceOne Member Brian Ellis, a Sergeant with the Sacramento (Calif.) Police Department. In PoliceOne First Person essays, our Members and Columnists candidly share their own unique view of the world. This is a platform from which individual officers can share their own personal insights on issues confronting cops today, as well as opinions, observations, and advice on living life behind the thin blue line. If you want to share your own perspective with other PoliceOne Members, send us an e-mail with your story.
By Brian Ellis
Police1 Member
A worry-free neighborhood takes more than just thinking in the context of prevention. Connection and trust are critical components to great neighborhoods.
While some neighborhoods are fortunate to have the necessary components for success, others are not so fortunate. We start with an understanding that, like anything worth having, a safe neighborhood results from the accumulation of hard work.
I suggest that we enable our citizens to build better neighborhoods for tomorrow by teaching them — and working through with them — the mnemonic PREPARATION.
Provide Training
Provide ways to deliver training to your neighborhood. Conflict resolution is an area that most people do not have a great deal of experience in. Identify the resources and people who need assistance.
Recognize Partnerships
Recognize it is all about partnerships. Develop your neighborhood relationships while partnering with public and private entities to solve community problems.
Emphasize Prevention
Prevention is the best way to deal with violence. The key is to understand what your community can use to head off violence before it happens.
Play a Role
Play a role in your community by volunteering. It does not have to be a great deal of time, but if everyone invests, it is amazing how much it multiplies. Interaction with the youth of your community for just a few hours a week can make all the difference.
Ask Questions
Ask the right questions of those who can make an impact. Think about the small victories. Break a large problem into small, actionable items you can address one by one.
Report Suspicious Activity
Citizens must report suspicious activity to the police and junk or debris to code enforcement. Remember that good follow-up depends on good initial information.
Make it possible for all of your neighbors to report suspicious activity without the fear of retaliation. Remember to move your neighborhood in a positive direction each day.
Acquire Opportunities
The youth in your neighborhood need a constructive way to spend their time. Organize recreation and educational opportunities.
Talk with Each Other
Tell citizens to talk with their children, significant other, and neighbors about current trends in your neighborhood. Don’t always focus on the bad. Remember that people can have a negativity bias, so make the positive news outweigh the negative 5:1.
Invest in the Neighborhood
Invest by organizing a cleanup effort in your neighborhood or local park. Have abandoned cars on the street tagged for removal. Think code enforcement.
Offer Opportunities
Give teens in your neighborhood opportunities in your workplace. Volunteering or internships can have a positive impact. You don’t need to be the boss to make it happen. Ask the right people what they can do to make it happen.
Now is the Time
Don’t wait, think long, and play wrong. Your opportunity begins today!
About the Author
Sgt. Brian Ellis serves with the Sacramento Police Department. He is a 15-year veteran who has worked in a number of specialized assignments, including with the Problem Oriented Policing Unit, Parole Intervention and Career Criminal Apprehension Teams, Narcotics and Robbery/Burglary divisions. He is currently a patrol supervisor. Brian earned his Criminal Justice undergraduate degree from Cal State Sacramento and his masters in Organizational Leadership from National University. He is passionate about helping others reach their true potential. Follow him on Twitter at @BrianEllis10.
